Late Newton TD pass lifts Panthers over Saints 17-13

Cam Newton saw Drew Brees' fourth-quarter touchdown strike and raised him with one of his own to Domenik Hixon with 23 seconds to go to place Carolina in the driver's seat of the NFC South with a 17-13 win.

Newton didn't light up the scoreboard for the majority of the game completing 13-of-22 passes for 181 yards with a score and a pick, but he came through when needed completing three big passes in Carolina's last-minute game-winning drive.

Brees completed 30-of-44 passes for 281 yards with a touchdown and two picks. He was pressured all game and sacked six times. Three of those sacks came by Greg Hardy, who lined up opposite of rookie Terron Armstead making his first-career start.

Jimmy Graham caught Brees' TD midway through the fourth quarter to place New Orleans on top. Graham finished with five receptions for 73 yards.

Mark Ingram paced New Orleans on the ground with 83 yards on 13 carries.

With a win next week over Atlanta, Carolina wins the NFC South. New Orleans can still win the NFC South with a win over Tampa Bay next week and a Carolina loss to Atlanta.

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